Lark ID help (1 Viewer)

[george-spiridakis]

Hi all,

would like to hear some opinions, to help identifying this lark species. All i can tell now is that is a Lesser Short-toed Lark 'Calandrella rufescens' type.

With the recent split of the rufescens group though it becomes really difficult and confusing for me, besides the fact i don't have any particular experience with that group.

Only details i can add is that it was photographed few days ago in northern Greece and it is a lifer for me.

Thank you in advance,

Giorgos

P.S.: Please add on your comments some tips on IDing the species/ subspecies if posible.

 

[Butty]

Looks like a lesser short-toed lark, it's in Greece (it's good to give the actual location when you're asking for an ID), so it's what some people call Mediterranean short-toed lark. I don't think there's any mystery or confusion.

 

[lou salomon]

quite unlikely during winter in northern Greece, Butty. I'd rather expect a Turkestan Short-toed Lark (A. heinei heinei) to winter over there. Turkish A. heinei aharonii seems rather sedentary. Can't help with the phenotypic identification though.

 

[Butty]

Hmm, OK, I guess the point is is it wintering Turkestan short-toed lark... I'll retire in confusion...
(x-posted with Lou)

 

[Muppit17]

Is it really that simple?

Both species have been seen in Cyprus the late winter/early spring, and the same goes for Israel, where Mediterranean is by far commoner of the two. Greece appears to outside the normal range of both.

I have heard that many observers find them impossible to tell apart.

 

[george-spiridakis]

So practically is impossible to tell whether is the Mediterranean Short-toed Lark 'Alaudala rufescens' or the Turkestan 'Alaudala henei'. Only if it's winter visitor we can speculate is most likely the latter..
Is it officially accepted whether the 2 are considered different species and not subspecies?

 

[Butty]

The split is adopted by IOC. As ever, there are no 'laws', so there is no such thing as 'official acceptance' - and whether you consider it to be 'accepted' is up to you or to the list you personally prefer to follow - if any.
I imagine there are better sources, but try >> Lesser Short-toed Lark consists of two species

 

[george-spiridakis]

The split is adopted by IOC. As ever, there are no 'laws', so there is no such thing as 'official acceptance' - and whether you consider it to be 'accepted' is up to you or to the list you personally prefer to follow - if any.
I imagine there are better sources, but try >> Lesser Short-toed Lark consists of two species

Butty,

thanks a lot for the interesting post.

Cheers,

G.